Sanford Dole, artistic director
Bay Area native and Oakland resident Sanford Dole received his BA and MA degrees in composition and conducting, respectively, at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and has devoted his entire professional life to the Bay Area. He currently is Artistic Director of Bay Choral Guild (BCG), based in Palo Alto, which performs regularly in San Francisco, Palo Alto, and Campbell, and Artistic Director of The Sanford Dole Ensemble, as well as Music Director at St. Gregory of Nyssa Episcopal Church in SF.
Mr. Dole was a founding member of Chanticleer, which has made legendary musical contributions to the Bay Area and beyond as well as Assistant Conductor (1987-97) of the San Francisco Symphony Chorus. Mr. Dole has composed/arranged 34 sacred and secular choral, solo, and instrumental works. His work for chorus and four-hand piano, The Fabric of Peace, was commissioned for the 2009 50th anniversary celebration of the Oakland Symphony Chorus.
Mr. Dole’s organizational commitment has been critical to the survival and growth of both Bay Choral Guild and Sanford Dole Ensemble, and to their consequent ability to provide professional and non-professional choral singers, instrumentalists, and soloists with performance opportunities and local composers with a showcase for their work. His musical artistry and creative programming of repertoire from many musical periods and genres contribute greatly to the musical life and culture of the Bay Area through programs that delight, educate, and inspire their audiences.
Mr. Dole was a founding member of Chanticleer, which has made legendary musical contributions to the Bay Area and beyond as well as Assistant Conductor (1987-97) of the San Francisco Symphony Chorus. Mr. Dole has composed/arranged 34 sacred and secular choral, solo, and instrumental works. His work for chorus and four-hand piano, The Fabric of Peace, was commissioned for the 2009 50th anniversary celebration of the Oakland Symphony Chorus.
Mr. Dole’s organizational commitment has been critical to the survival and growth of both Bay Choral Guild and Sanford Dole Ensemble, and to their consequent ability to provide professional and non-professional choral singers, instrumentalists, and soloists with performance opportunities and local composers with a showcase for their work. His musical artistry and creative programming of repertoire from many musical periods and genres contribute greatly to the musical life and culture of the Bay Area through programs that delight, educate, and inspire their audiences.
Janice Gunderson, collaborative pianist
Janice has enjoyed a richly varied musical life in the San Francisco Bay Area working as a professional accompanist, choral director, and teacher. Janice has performed with singers, instrumentalists, and in theatrical productions, and has been on the staff of College of San Mateo, Cañada College, and Notre Dame de Namur University. She was the Music Director of Peninsula Cantare from 1997 to 2011. The choir, based at Cañada College, performed three concerts each year and toured internationally. Previously, she was Assistant Conductor of Masterworks Chorale for 10 years.
Before COVID, Janice also directed the Peninsula Choraliers, a women’s ensemble. She is currently the Choir Director at Hope Lutheran Church in San Mateo. Originally from Oregon, Janice studied at Lewis & Clark College in Portland and holds a Music degree from the University of Oregon in Eugene, with continuing studies at Cal State Hayward and San Jose State University.
Before COVID, Janice also directed the Peninsula Choraliers, a women’s ensemble. She is currently the Choir Director at Hope Lutheran Church in San Mateo. Originally from Oregon, Janice studied at Lewis & Clark College in Portland and holds a Music degree from the University of Oregon in Eugene, with continuing studies at Cal State Hayward and San Jose State University.
